Chapter 9 - CLEANING THE HOUSE
"Julian Sterling and Richard Vance," Prosecutor Reed announced, stepping into the library and unrolling a federal arrest warrant. "You are under arrest for corporate fraud, grand larceny, conspiracy to commit extortion, and attempted wire fraud. Take them into custody."
Two state troopers moved swiftly, pinning Julian’s arms behind his back and snapping steel handcuffs around his wrists.
"Adrian! Please! We're blood!" Julian shrieked, kicking wildly as he was dragged across the Persian rug toward the door. "You can't do this to your own family! I'm your cousin!"
Adrian looked at Julian with an expression of profound, icy disappointment. "You stopped being my family the moment you targeted an innocent girl's dying brother to cover your greed."
Vance was cuffed in silence, his face grim as the federal agents confiscated his laptop, flash drives, and the black folder containing the fraudulent transfer documents.
As the officers hauled the traitors out through the grand foyer, the entire domestic staff—housekeepers, chefs, gardeners, and footmen—gathered in the hallways, watching in stunned silence as Julian and his inner circle were marched out into the pouring rain.
Adrian stepped out into the center of the grand foyer, his presence commanding the attention of every person in the mansion.
Beside him stood Grace, no longer wearing her apron, but standing proudly at his right hand.
"Listen to me, all of you," Adrian’s voice echoed off the high marble ceilings. "For two days, this house was subjected to fear, intimidation, and cruelty under Julian Sterling's shadow. That shadow ends today."
He looked around at the tired, anxious faces of his staff.
"Mrs. Higgins is relieved of her duties as head housekeeper immediately," Adrian declared. "Thomas, you are restored to your position as Chief Butler with full retroactive pay. Furthermore, every member of this staff will receive a twenty percent salary increase, and our healthcare coverage is being doubled, effective immediately."
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A wave of gasps swept through the foyer, followed by soft cheers and emotional tears from the staff members who had suffered under Julian's brief, tyrannical reign.
"This house will no longer be ruled by fear," Adrian added, his eyes softening as he looked over at Grace. "It will be ruled by respect and human decency."
